Locals Recognized in Sustainability Efforts at Leadership Awards

Several Northern Nevadans were recently celebrated for their leadership at the US Green Building Council – Nevada Chapter’s (USGBC-Nevada Chapter) 4th annual luncheon held at the Terry Lee Wells Discovery Museum.

Bently Minden Farmers Bank, in downtown Minden, received Project of the Year. The Farmer’s Bank Building was recently transformed from a small 20th-century town’s financial center into an environmentally sustainable LEED Platinum Certified 21st-century workplace guided Chris Bently of Bently Ranch. Repurposing sections of the building and converting it into a functioning space, with public access, just built upon the strategy for an environmental building.

City of Reno Councilman David Bobzien took home recognition in the Advocacy category. Bobzien is a former Nevada State Assemblyman and currently a Reno City Council member, who is building a more sustainable community through a concentration on strengthening economic revitalization and the area’s green economy. He’s advocated for renewable energy, enhanced drought preparedness and response, and initiated local climate action planning.

Carol Gadda received the USGBC – Nevada Chapter Northern Nevada’s Member of the Year award. Gadda, Chairperson of USGBC NV Green Schools Committee, oversees all Sustainable Nevada’s Built Environment efforts including LEED certification of school buildings and LEED Project Curriculum.

Caesars Entertainment Corporation (and Harrah’s) won in the Organizational Excellence category. The company strives to be environmentally friendly and from 2007 to 2014, reduced greenhouse their gas emissions by 22.6 percent; reduced energy use by 21.3 percent; reduced water consumption 16.6 percent; diverted 44.3 percent of materials from landfills; engaged 49% of employees in the CodeGreen program; engaged 52% of suppliers in reporting greenhouse gas emissions; and achieved LEED certification on new construction and expanded properties.

Marisa Kendall-Cooper, Science Coordinator, Adolescent Science Guide, STEAM Fair Director and Science Curriculum Writer for High Desert Montessori School, won the award for the Education category. Kendall-Cooper works to effectively teach young people about science; understanding the world around them, and she was one of the original teachers retained by the Desert Research Institute GreenPower program to develop curriculum for the Green Box program.

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Erin Meyering is the Communications Specialist at Carson Tahoe Health. She previously worked as the Associate Editor of edible Reno-Tahoe magazine. After graduating from the Reynolds School of Journalism in 2014, she avidly pursued making writing and designing her career. On top area freelancing, she enjoys spending time doing yoga and hiking with her 75-lb lab/boxer mix, Biscotti.

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